Assessing and addressing the library needs of health care personnel in a large regional hospital

Abstract

A needs assessment survey was conducted by the Medical Library staff of St. John's Health System, Inc., in Springfield, Missouri, to document the library needs of non-physician health care personnel. The intended use of the survey was threefold: first, to collect baseline data from non-physician health care employees; second, to gather recommendations from both library users and non-users to be included in library planning and improvements; and third, to promote the library during the survey process. Study results, along with an implementation report detailing actions taken to enhance strengths and address weaknesses identified in the needs assessment survey, are presented. Opportunities for further investigation of library needs are also reported.